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Colburn comments: It's personal

There's no better place to experience the thrill of competition than standing at the finish line of a cross country race, which is where I was Thursday, at the MCAA league meet north of Great Bend.

The excitement came not from the winners, however, so much as it did from those in the middle of the pack.

These athletes knew finishing strong would make a difference in the final team standings, and they were determined to finish as high as possible.

A deceptively difficult course taxed the limits of most runners well before they hit the final homestretch. Yet time and again, I watched runners find hidden reserves to battle each other in astonishing all-out sprints over the last 100 yards.

Watching their approach from the finish line, I could see their extreme exertions, their straining muscles, their gasps for breaths, and the looks of exhilaration and despair as runners expended every last ounce of energy. More than one stumbled and collapsed from utter exhaustion as they crossed the line.

No matter what school a runner represented, I was drawn in and captivated by his or her competitive spirit. Runner after runner, it was invigorating to witness.

This may be why my dad, Ed (Bud to most), was such a fan of track and field. When I was growing up, he rarely missed an MHS track meet, and I often tagged along.

I still remember vividly the awe I had at watching such Warrior athletes as Lou Wegerer, Jack Loomis, and Gary Melcher perform.

While all three were standout multi-sport athletes, only visions of their individual track and field careers stand out for me. Their power and grace made strong impressions on my youthful mind.

As I watched runners throw everything they had into last-ditch exertions to finish 15th rather than 16th, 38th rather than 39th, and so on, I was in awe once again.

Cross country isn't much of a spectator sport — for most races, the competitors can't be seen as they wind their way through field and wood. If the course doesn't double back on itself, spectators may only see the start and finish of races.

But they see both up close, standing a scant few feet away from the runners. It's impossible to be a casual observer in that context. The runners draw you in with every pounding step, every labored breath.

It's personal. That's why I find it such a rush and wonder to behold.

In closing, I want to send kudos out to the Marion High School and Marion Middle School cross country runners for an excellent season.

Danielle Cope and Daniel Goentzel have been consistent top-performers and team leaders. Everyone has shown improvement over the season. The boys won the Council Grove meet. The girls had Marion's best finish ever (tied for second) at the league meet. From what I've observed, these kids enjoy being together and encouraging each other to do well and get better. They're the "feel-good story" of MHS fall team sports.

The MHS cross country team will compete in the regional meet Saturday in Wichita. Here's wishing them all the best. I'll be waiting at the finish, chasing thrills and cheering them home.

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